HC Deb 28 June 1985 vol 81 c503W
Mr. Moynihan

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will introduce legislation to prohibit the sale of such cordless telephones and citizens band radio apparatus which it is an offence to use in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Pattie

I hope to introduce orders later this year on cordless telephones and citizens' band radio under Section 7 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967 (as amended by section 77 of the Telecommunications Act) which gives powers to restrict manufacture, sale, hire and importation of specified wireless telegraphy apparatus. The restrictions will apply to all cordless telephones which are not exempt from licence requirements in the United Kingdom. The restrictions will also apply to all citizens' band radio which cannot be licensed for use in the United Kingdom with the exception of angle modulated radios designed to operate in the 26,960 MHz-27,410 MHz band and which meets the technical specifications contained in recommendations T/R 20–02 of the conference of European posts and telecommunications administrations. The exception will be made because the United Kingdom is moving towards harmonisation with the rest of Europe on the specification of CB equipment. However, because of the requirements of existing radio users, the CB service in the 26,960–27,410 MHz band cannot be introduced until 1987 at the earliest so use of this equipment will remain an offence until the band can be cleared of its existing users and made over to the CB service.

Mr. Moynihan

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek to give legal force to BS 905: Part 2: 1985 which specifies limits of immunity for radio and television broadcast receivers and associated equipment.

Mr. Pattie

In over 20 per cent. of the complaints made to my Department in which the complaintts believe they are suffering radio interference the problem arises in fact because their own receiving equipment lacks immunity, that is the equipment picks up transmissions from various radio users operating outside the broadcast channels. In order to cut down these reception problems, I hope to introduce later this year regulations under section 12A of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (as amended by section 78 of the Telecommunications Act 1984) to restrict new contracts for the sale, hire and advertising of broadcast receiving equipment which does not meet BS 905: Part 2: 1985.